In preparation for the FIFA World Cup, the Telegraph newspaper in the UK has selected its choice of top 10 South African wines. South Africa is the world’s 9th largest producer, according to the report, and has more than 600 wineries and 6 000 wines. It has a 12 % market share in the UK, closely following France and Italy.
The largest volume of sales of South African wines is of Arniston Bay and Kumala. But high-end wines such as Hamilton Russell, Vergelegen, Boekenhoutskloof, Meerlust, Thelema, Toakara, Kanonkop and Rustenberg are also imported into the UK.
The top 10 list of South African wines for wine writer Jonathan Ray, are the following, with his rationale and food-pairing suggestions:
“1 2009 Ken Forrester Cape Breeze Chenin Blanc, 13%vol, South Africa (£4.98; Asda)
Ken Forrester knows his chenin blanc inside out, and his so-called FMC (Forrester Meinert Chenin) is a much-loved classic (and highest-ever scoring South African white in Wine Spectator). This entry-level version might sound like a shampoo or a Duluxpaint, but it’s a great value introduction to the grape, with crisp, sweet-edged fruit and a dry finish. An ideal crowd-pleaser for parties.
2 2009 Flagstone Noon Gun Dry White, 13.5%vol, South Africa (£4.99 reduced from £6.99 until Dec 1; Tesco)
Bruce Jack, one of the nicest and quirkiest of all SA winemakers, shocked many by signing up with the world’s largest wine producer, Constellation. Flagstone, housed in a former dynamite factory, is his baby, though, and he vows he’ll be left to his own devices. This chenin blanc/viognier/sauvignonblend is a typical Jack charmer, being light, aromatic and fruity. Delicious with grilled sea bass.
3 2008 Beyerskloof Pinotage, 14%vol, South Africa (£5.99 if you buy 3, otherwise £8.99; Wine Rack)
Pinotage, a cross between cinsault and pinot noir, is South Africa’s USP, loved for its fruit by some, dismissed as tired and redolent of burnt rubber by others. In the hands of Beyerskloof’s Beyers Truter, one of the grape’s most vociferous supporters, it works a dream. Here, his entry-level version is ripe, juicy and full of spicy plum fruit, withno hint of rubber. Enjoy with slow roast belly of pork.
4 2009 Stellar Organics Syrah Rosé, 13.5%vol, South Africa (£6.05; Asda, Budgens, Londis, Spar)
South Africa is strong on Fairtrade and Stellar was the first organic winery in the world to be so accredited. The winery gets its fruit from farms along the northern boundary of Olifant’s River and processes around 4,500 tons of organic grapes a year. This pink syrah is hardly complex, just delightfully fruity and off-dry in the mouth, with a dryish, peppery finish. Serve it well-chilled at parties, or with stuffed red peppers or roasted root vegetables.
5 2007 Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc, 14.5%vol, South Africa (£8.99; Majestic)
Chenin blanc does better in South Africa than anywhere else outside the Loire Valley, and this from Bellingham’s Bernard Series (formerly the Maverick range) is a first-rate example of real style. Made from 40-year-old, high-altitude bush vines, it has wonderfully concentrated rich, ripe fruit withhints of peach, apricot and cream. A touch full-flavoured for an aperitif, it works really well with fish pie or creamy mushroom pasta.
6 2007 Paul Cluver Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest, 12%vol, South Africa (£11.49 per 37.5cl; selected Waitrose stores and www.waitrosewine.com)
Andries Burger of Paul Cluver Estate makes smashing wines and I’ve long been a fan of the estate’s pinot noir and their classy gewürztraminer. This is a corker too: a late-picked, botrytised, cool-climate riesling, packed with concentrated honeyed apple/peach flavours and a zingy acidity. It’s great with desserts such as tarte tatin, but even better with gooey blue cheese.
7 2005 Iona The Gunnar, 14%vol, South Africa (£11.95 - £14.95; Really Fine Wine Co 0131 669 7716, Swig Wines 08000 272272, Hic Wines 01977 550047)
Iona is celebrated for its chardonnays and sauvignons and does a fine syrah, too (and a brand new Noble Late Harvest sauvignon, which is gorgeous). This blended red, from cabernet, merlot and petit verdot, is a belter as well. Inimitably SA of course, it also has a touch of Left Bank Bordeaux style and is smoothand rounded with luscious ripe fruit. Enjoy with roast loin of venison.
8 Graham Beck Brut NV, 13%vol, South Africa (£12.99; Waitrose, Wholefoods 020 7368 4500, DJ Foodfare 020 8748 5974)
I’ve always enjoyed Graham Beck’s sparklers, made in the champagne method under the supervision of the legendary Pieter “Bubbles” Ferreira. This 50-50 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir from the Robertson region is about as good as it gets for a non-champagne fizz, being crisp and clean, but toasty and brioche-like too. A cracking aperitif.
9 2001 Morgenhof Cape Late Bottled Vintage, 17.5%vol, South Africa (£16.99; Cellar Door Wines 01727 854488, Wright Wine Co 01756 700886)
This is scrumptious stuff, the Cape’s answer to the Douro Valley. Made from 100 per cent tinta barroca, one of port’s major grapes, and aged for four years in French oak, it has raisins, liquorice and ripe damsons on the palate and a rich, succulent finish. Enjoy as you would any LBV port, with cheese, chocolate puddings or a hearty Cuban cigar.
10 2007 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir, 13%vol, South Africa (£24.99; Wine Society, Harvey Nichols)
The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, near Hermanus, is home to some fascinating wines. Although nobody agrees on exactly where the prime valley starts and ends, it’s fair to say that Hamilton Russell put the region on the map with its pinots and chardonnays. Known as the most “Burgundian” of SA’s pinots, this is as elegant and silky as they come, with a touch of vegetalspice and dark berry fruit. Perfect with chicken and truffle risotto”
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com
Tags: Andries Burger, Arniston bay, Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine, Beyers Truter, Beyerskloof, Boekenhoutskloof, Bruce Jack, chardonnay, chenin blanc, Fairtrade, Fifa World Cup, Flagstone Noon Gun, Graham Beck Brut, Hamilton-Russell, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hermanus, Iona The Gunner, Jonathan Ray, Kanonkop, Ken Forrester, Kumala, Meerlust, Morgenhof, organic winery, Paul Kluver Weisser Riessling, Pieter Ferreira, pinot noir, pinotage, rose, South African wines, Stellar Organics, Syrah, Telegraph, Thelema, Tokara, Vergelegen, Weisser Riesling
A Danish photographer’s love-affair with Cape Town, and its wine, people and food, led to Linda Suhr publishing “A Passion for Wine & Surf”.
The book contains beautiful photographs of seafood, the ocean, surfers, wine-makers, winelands, and a restaurateur, with his recipes.
Wine-makers Miles Mossop from Tokara, Sebastian Beaumont from Beaumont Winery, Rudi Schulz from Thelema, Duncan Savage from Cape Point Winery, and Italian Luca Castilione, owner of Lemoncello, are featured in the book, both as passionate surfers, and as passionate wine-makers. Other wine-makers who are profiled are Adi Badenhorst of A.A. Badenhorst, and Sebastiaan Klaasen from Vuurberg.
“A Passion for Wine and Surf is the portrait of a lifestyle. It’s about wine-making, summertime and wide open spaces. A beach, togetherness, a country of hope and dreams. It’s about a group of friends with roots deep in South African soils who are riding the wave of the country’s transformation. It’s also a brief, indulgent journey into some of life’s simpler pleasures - fresh tuna on the braai, a cold glass of Chenin Blanc and the luminous beauty of vineyards on an autumn afternoon”, says the author.
“This book is my love affair with South Africa and the spirit and soul of this country. It’s about great wines, irresistible food, soul-living and love. It’s about hauling a battered cooler-box down to the beach sharing a bottle of wine with friends while the sun slowly sets. These are some of the special moments that make life worth living. It’s a celebration of spirit and an expression of my gratitude. I hope one day you get to visit this extra-ordinary country, taste its wines, savour its food and experience its magic for yourself” she adds.
Once a year about 40 wine-makers meet at Stilbaai for a long weekend, and participate in a surfing competition, drawing parallels with wine competitions that they participate in throughout the year.
“A Passion for Wine & Surf”, Linda Suhr, www.suhrphotography.com. Available at Exclusive Books.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio www.whalecottage.com
Tags: 'A Passion for Wine & Surf", A.A. Badenhorst, Adi Badenhorst, Beaumont Winery, braai, Cape Point Winery, Cape Town, chenin blanc, Chris von Ulmenstein, Duncan Savage, Exclusive Books, Lemoncello, Linda Suhr, Luca Castilione, Miles Mossop, photographer, Rudi Schulz, seafood, Sebastiaan Klaasen, Sebastian Beaumont, Stilbaai, surfing, Thelema, Tokara, Vuurberg, Whale Cottage Portfolio, Wine, wine-makers
The highly regarded South African wine guide Platter’s has announced its two winning white and red wines for 2010, being Palladius 2008 from Sadie Family Wines, and Le Riche Wines’ Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005.
Platter’s Wine Guide has given an early taste of its winning wines, and has also revealed that 41 wines have made the highly-sought after 5-star category, the highest number of 5-star wines since Platter’s was introduced. As the Platter’s Wine Guide will only reach the shops in November, few clues as to the Winery of the Year, Superquaffer of the Year, and the five-star wines have been revealed.
However, the Platter’s media release states that 6 000 wines were evaluated this year, and 105 of these made the five-star shortlist, for the final selection of 41. By wine variety, five-star winners include 5 sauvignon blancs, 5 Bordeaux-style red blends, 4 Bordeaux-style white blends, 4 shiraz wines, 4 unfortified dessert wines, 3 ports, 3 chardonnays, 2 cabernet sauvignons, 2 Pinot Noirs, 2 red blends, 1 grenache, 1 chenin blanc and 1 pinotage.
Platter’s has also revealed that multi 5-star winners are Woolworths, with four 5-star wines, which include a sauvignon blanc and a bordeaux-style red blend. The other two 5-star Woolworths wines have not been revealed. Boplaas Family Vineyards, traditionally a port winner, Cape Point Vineyards, Distell (5-stars for its Nederburg and Fleur du Cap wines) and Sadie Family Wines are also multi 5-star winners.
The Platter’s South African Wine Guide will be launched in November, with a detailed evaluation of all the South African wines tasted.
Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com
Tags: Boplaas, bordeaux-style reds, bordeaux-style whites, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet sauvignons, Cape Point Vineyards, chardonnay, chenin blanc, Distell, five star wines, Fleur du Cap, grenache, Le Riche Wines, Nederburg, Palladius 2008, pinotage, Platter wine guide, port, Sadie Family Wines, sauvignon blancs, shiraz, Superquaffer of the Year, Whale Cottage Portfolio, Winery of the Year, Wines, Woolworths
Franschhoek-based Chamonix winery won the 2009 Santam Classic Wine Trophy, as well as two gold medals, and a GQ Choice award, in The Classic Wine Trophy Awards last week, chosen by a panel of French judges.
Competition organiser, Christophe Durand, said of Chamonix’s success: ” Their consistency as an estate over the years has been amazing. I’m very happy with their victory and the outcome of this year’s competition as a whole”.
Simonsig won the trophy for best sparkling wine for their Cuvee Royale; Jean Daneel won the Best White Wine Trophy for his Signature Chenin Blanc 2006; Groot Constantia won the Best Red Wine Trophy for the Gouverneurs Shiraz 2006; and Klein Constantia won the Best Sweet Wine Trophy for their Vin de Constance 2004.
The judges stated that they were disppointed with the sauvignon blanc entries, Southern Right being the only gold medal winner for this variety.
Another Franschhoek wine to do well at the Award was the La Motte Pierneef 2007, which won a gold medal.
Tags: Chamonix, chenin blanc, Christophe Durand, Franschhoek, GQ, Groot Constantia, Jean Daneel, Klein Constantia, La Motte Pierneef, Santam Classic Wine Trophy, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, Simonsig, Southern Right, sparkling wine, sweet wine, The Classic Wine Trophy Awards, Vin de Constance
The 2009 Platter Wine Guide has been released, and its record 33 five-star wines were announced earlier this week. Kanonkop scooped the prestigious honour of being recognised as the best wine as well as best winery. Only Boekenhoutskloof and De Trafford had two five-star wines in the top wine list.
Wine of the Year
Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Winery of the Year
Kanonkop
Chenin Blanc
Ken Forrester The FMC 2006
Chardonnay
Ataraxia 2007
Jordan CWG Auction Reserve 2006
Uva Mira Single Vineyard 2007
Sauvignon Blanc
Quoin Rock The Nicobar 2007
Semillon
Constantia Uitsig 2007
White Blends
Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh 2007
Nederburg Ingenuity White 2007
Sterhuis Astra White 2006
Tokara White 2007
Pinot Noir
Meerlust 2004
Cabernet Franc
Buitenverwachting 2005
Cabernet Sauvignon
Boekenhoutskloof Winery 2006
Kanonkop 2004
Thelema The Mint 2006
Pinotage
Simonsig Redhill 2006
Red Blends
De Toren Fusion V 2006
De Trafford CWG Perspective 2005
Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2005
Morgenster 2005
Vilafonté Series C 2006
Waterford Estate – CWG Auction Reserve 2004
Shiraz
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2006
De Trafford 2006
Eagle’s Nest 2006
Hartenberg The Stork 2005
Signal Hill Clos d’Oranje 2006
Dessert Wine Unfortified
Fleur du Cap – Noble Late Harvest 2007
Klein Constantia Estate – Rhine Riesling Natural Sweet 2006
Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards Vin Pi Two (NV)
Dessert Wine Fortified
Mons Ruber Estate Muscat d’Alexandrie Jerepigo 1997
Port
Boplaas Vintage Reserve 2006
De Krans Vintage Reserve 2006
Franschhoek La Vigne winemaker Ossie Sauermann has been announced as 2008 Diner’s Club Young Winemaker of the Year. Last year Marc Kent of Boekenhoutskloof was selected as the Winemaker of the Year.
Tags: Ataraxia, Boekenhoutskloof, Boplaas, Buitenverwachting, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, Cape Point Vineyards, chardonnay, chenin blanc, Constantia Uitsig, De Krans, De Toren, De Trafford, dessert wine, Diner's Club, Eagle's Nest, Fleur du Cap, Franschhoek, Hartenberg, Jordan, Kaapzicht, Kanonkop, Ken Forrester, Klein Constantia, La Vigne, Marc Kent, Meerlust, Mons Ruber Estate, Morgenster, Nederburg, pinot noir, pinotage, Platter, port, Quoin Rock, sauvignon blanc, semillon, shiraz, Signal Hill, Simonsig, Sterhuis, Thelema, Tokara, Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards, Uva Mira, Vilafonte, Waterford, wine guide
In preparation for the FIFA World Cup, the Telegraph newspaper in the UK has selected its choice of top 10 South African wines. South Africa is the world’s 9th largest producer, according to the report, and has more than 600 wineries and 6 000 wines. It has a 12 % market share in the UK, closely following France and Italy.
